San Juan Islands to Nanaimo

G

Gene&Mary

New member
I understand that weather makes a huge difference but is it reasonable to think that we can make it from say Lopez Island in the San Juans to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in one day? We would expect to stop at Bedwell Harbor for customs and maybe make one more mid-trip stop at ?????? in the Gulf Islands.

If the weather does not cooperate, where would be a good mid-trip overnight stopping point?

Our plan is to rent a car at Nanaimo and drive to Tofino, if anyone has any thoughts or ideas about that?

thanks
 
from bedwell to Nanaimo is about two hour maybe two and a half if the wind is not blowing over 15mph. from friday to bedwell is about a hour or so. time the run to bidwell with the tides so you do not get bounced as you cross the boarder
 
Together with Barry (Colobear) we went from Friday Harbor to Nanaimo and then on to Pender harbor in one day with no problems, given reasonable weather conditions.

One point if you are using Nexus for clearance, is that if you announce Nanaimo as you final destination, then they may tell you to clear customs there and NOT to stop in between!!
So if you want to go to Bedwell, then tell them that up front as it doesn't matter where you go once you are formally cleared.

Personally I would suggest going to Ganges or Sidney to re-provision with all the goodies they won't let you take across the dotted line.

Merv
 
Well, we launched Journey On at Pt Alberni, and took her to Uclulet and Tofino: Journey On's Travels. The drive all the way to Tofino (and don't forget Uclulet) through Pt Alberni was really nice, but don't get in a hurry. It's about 4 hrs from Nanimo to Tofino, and you may want to stay overnight.

Boris
 
I agree that the trip is no problem unless it's howling, and then you want to be holed up anyway rather than getting your fillings knocked loose.

Merv - why don't you post a link to what Canada won't let you bring in. They never ask me about anything other than liquor, tobacco, firearms and that $10,000 in cash I wish I had. Other than that, we pretty much take whatever we want and don't worry about it, but it would be nice to know nonetheless...
 
According to one "official website"...

The following items cannot be brought into Canada:

•firearms, explosives, fireworks and ammunition;
•narcotics, other than prescription drugs;
•meat, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables;
•plants, flowers and soil;
•endangered species of animals or products made from animal parts, such as the skin, feathers, fur, bones and ivory;
•cultural property, including antique and cultural objects considered to have historical significance in their country of origin (you may, however, bring family heirlooms);
•more than 200 cigarettes (you must pay tax on the excess amount) per person over 18 years of age if you are immigrating to Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba, or per person over 19 if you are immigrating to Ontario or any of the other provinces; and
•more than 1.5 litres of wine or 1.14 litres of commercial alcohol (you must pay tax on the excess amount) per person over 19 years of age.
If you are not sure about an item, you can write to or telephone:

Canada Border Services Agency
Customs, Excise and Taxation
Information Services
2265 St. Laurent Boulevard
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4K3

Telephone: (506) 636-5064 or
(204) 983-3500
(when calling from outside Canada)

1 800 959-2036
(toll-free, from inside Canada)

Website: www.cbsa.gc.ca


Charlie
 
Pat,

Charlie's list is pretty much what you will get if you research it, but it does change from time to time and/or according to who you ask. Best to go with a printed list from a goverment source rather than an opinion.

I agree with you, we are usually only asked about how many firearms we have and "are we brining it all back" but I remember one phrase from the Nexus interview that once you have been approved, it is a ZERO tolerance system so if you get caught you will be chased by big black helicopters every time you even get near the border and you will also spend a lot of time being asked questions at airports etc. so we just go along with the rules.

By far the worst is getting back into the US by road. Another story on that coming up soon :evil:


Merv
 
News to me...here is another view cut and pasted from Yahoo answers from about 2 months ago. Did they just make up this list? We always bring meat, eggs, milk and veggies...glad we DON'T have a Nexus I guess.


The restrictions have eased and there should not be any problems. The first person is correct, you will need to declare it as 'food' and make certain you have a receipt and the ingredients list is clear.

You can also check CBSA's website to be sure:

The following are some examples of the limits that apply to personal importations of food products from the United States:
2 dozen eggs;
20 kilograms of dairy products not exceeding $20 in value (e.g. cheese and butter);
3 kilograms of margarine or butter substitutes; and
20 kilograms of edible meats and meat products, including turkey and chicken.
Within this limit, more CFIA and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada restrictions apply as follows:
a maximum of one whole turkey or 10 kilograms of turkey products;
a maximum of 10 kilograms of chicken; and
a maximum of 5 kilograms of edible meats and meat products from cattle, sheep, goat, bison and buffalo.

If you have any questions, contact the Border Information Service (BIS) line. This is a 24-hour telephone service that automatically answers all incoming calls and provides general border services information.

You can access BIS free of charge throughout Canada by calling 1-800-461-9999. If you call during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, Monday to Friday, except holidays), you can speak directly to an agent by pressing “0” at any time during the recording.

Captains Cat":2jbkszly said:
According to one "official website"...

The following items cannot be brought into Canada:

•meat, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables;

Charlie
Click to expand...
 
Pat,

The advantage to the Nexus was that in spite of having to negotiate idiots in the wrong lane, those cutting in from the duty free shop and the fact that even the lanes at the truck crossing (unless you qualify as commercial) were designed by trolls from hell, was that we passed in 15 minutes as opposed to nearly 2 hours for our Nexusly challenged friends.
Admittedly, backing up a 57ft rig across 4 lanes of oncoming traffic required the aid of at least two highly amused border crossing guards who were faced with the alternative of re-building their terminal approach or accepting us a permanet ornament to monumental planning stupidity.

On the water it seems to be the opposite. The Canadians often require that you call in at some designated port and wait for 10 minutes after your stated arrival time. If no-one bothers you, you are free to move about the country.

US coming back in is usually 5 minutes on the cell phone (AFTER you have crossed the clearly visible dotted line on the water).

I figure that one day they will link what we say to AIS.

The posts above are living proof to the fact that compliance is a lottery which you can never win.

Next time we will either drive a few extra miles to a "straight" border crossing or take the WA state Ferry where you pass customes in the parking lot while you wait. At least, that way it's only one boat load of potential felons, smugglers, undesirable aliens etc trying to get home to deal with.

Merv
 
We have anchored one cove down from the hot springs. Avoid during the "tourist hours"--and go in the evening. There are large cattle boats and RIB's which go to the hot springs. It is great when you or just your friends are there.
 
I would NEVER take eggs across. Twice my wife has forgotten to remove them when crossing on the road and had to then be fully checked because of it.
 
I forgot where I got this, but I found it important enough that I copied and pasted it into an email that I sent myself.

-Sarge

______________________________________________________

Customs Information


Documentation needed for yourself and your crew:

As of 2008 each person onboard (adults and children) will need a valid passport to travel by air or sea between the USA and Canada.


Procedures:

Customs procedures on both sides are very courteous, civilized, and simple. These few steps will help keep it that way.

Cardinal Rule: Touch land at customs dock before any other stops. The crew may help you secure the boat at the customs dock, but should get back on board while the skipper clears customs.

I. CLEARING INTO CANADA

· Normally you would enter through Bedwell Harbor, Sydney, or Victoria.

· Common things to avoid: *apples, blueberries, quince, peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries (or bring them the cores/pits in a plastic bag), potatoes, corn on the cob, firewood

*per adult: more than 1.5 liter of wine, or 1.14 liter spirits, or 24 cans of beer per adult. More than 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 2 kilograms of tobacco. (Further information 250-363-3618)

· Procedure:

1. Write down the documentation/registration number from the ship's papers, and the names, citizenship, birth date, and residence of passengers. Bring that and your charter agreement to the office or dock phone. Leave the ship's papers on board. Have ID of children aboard, and written permission if they are not your children. Only the skipper may leave the boat until after you have cleared customs – ALL OTHER PASSENGERS MUST REMAIN ONBOARD UNTIL CLEARED!

2. Log the Canadian clearance number onto the last sheet in your Guest Notebook. You will use it for reporting to US customs, and, if you give the sheet to us when you return, for a sales tax rebate for complete days in Canadian waters.

Note: U.S. citizens, including children, need either 1) Passport or 2)Photo ID and a CERTIFIED copies of birth certificates.



II. CLEARING BACK INTO THE USA--IN CANADA LESS THAN 48 HOURS

· Clear Customs at Roche Harbor, Friday Harbor, or Bellingham, or 9-5 with pin, 800-562-5943

· Each person may bring articles valued up to $200 US duty free. (Family members may not combine exemptions.) US will disallow some product from Canada including eggs, beef and chicken, citrus.

· Bring the number from the Customs User Fee sticker (on sailboats: attached to the aft side of the binnacle, just below the wheel; on powerboats: posted near the boarding gate or door. That number tells Customs that we have already paid the $25 entry fee for you.

· Bring the Canadian Customs clearance number with you.

· Log the US "release number" on your notebook Customs sheet for your protection.

· Normal hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday - Saturday. If the office is closed when you arrive, call 1-800-562-5943. Call from the customs dock, not from the boat or cellular out on the water.



III. CLEARING BACK INTO THE USA--IN CANADA MORE THAN 48 HOURS

Each person may bring articles valued up to $400, including (if at least 21 years of age) 1 liter alcohol beverages, 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars. (Family members may combine their exemptions.)

Duty is based on the amount exceeding the $400 exemption. US will disallow some product from Canada including eggs, beef and chicken, citrus.


CANADIAN CUSTOMS OFFICES

· Bedwell Harbor (S. Pender Island) 5/1 - 8/30 9am - 8 pm; 9/1-30, 9am - 5pm.

Open May through September.

On standby: 8pm-midnight. From midnight-8am there is a $56.00 fee. Number: (250) 629-3363 or toll free at 1-888-226-7277.

· Victoria and Sydney manned 24 hours, all year. Toll free at 1-888-226-7277.

Victoria: (250)363-3339 Sydney: (250)363-6644

· White Rock - (nearer Blaine than Pt. Roberts) 24 hrs, (604)531-7581 or 1-888-226-7277.

· Powell River - Government Dock, 604-485-2243 (please call ahead)

8:30am-4:30pm (Mon.-Fri.) from 5pm-8am the service charge applies

*Call forwarded to Campbell River weekdays after 5pm

Also toll free at 1-888-226-7277.

· Nanaimo - 24 hrs, (250)754-0341 or 1-888-226-7277.

· CanPass – Six to eight weeks processing, $25 fee, immediate family only. Toll free: 1-888-226-7277.
UNITED STATES CUSTOMS OFFICES

· Bellingham – (360) 734-5463 during duty hours (no customs dock) or 800-562-5943

· Friday Harbor – (360) 378-2080 (customs dock normally manned, call 800 number after hours)
· Roche Harbor - same phone and policies as Friday Harbor
- Show quoted text -
 
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